Colorado pot bills signed into law

Six Colorado bills covering aspects of the state's marijuana regulation became law Tuesday with Gov. John Hickenlooper's signature.

The new laws will “give clarity to businesses, increase transparency and improve public safety with common-sense regulations,” Hickenlooper said, adding a word of caution to those under 21 about the potentially harmful effects marijuana use can have on long-term memory.

The governor said it remains to be seen if marijuana ends up tainting the state's reputation.

“They took some complex recommendations and turned them into well-written law,” said Jack Finlaw, Hickenlooper’s chief legal counsel and co-chair of the task force.

Waller said it was crucial to get the driving-under the influence of marijuana laws in place.

“I ran a version of this bill six times in the last three years,” Waller said, adding: “At the end of the day, this is the most important public safety legislation signed into law this year.

Most of the public officials and lawmakers who spoke at the signing ceremony at the State Capitol urged voters to approve the November ballot measures created by the legislation establishing a 15 percent excise tax and 10 percent special sales tax on marijuana.

Asked if the laws were good for Colorado business and jobs, Hickenlooper said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt the industry will create jobs, so that’s good. Now whether it brands the state in a negative light is still up in the air.”